CocoRosie began as a duo, with Sierra singing, playing the guitar, piano and harp, and Bianca singing and manipulating various children's toys, electronic and percussion instruments, as well as other exotic noisemakers. They subsequently added various backing musicians, usually a bassist, keyboardist, and beatboxer. They have been a very active touring group, playing across Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.
They have released seven full-length albums: La maison de mon rêve (2004), Noah's Ark (2005), The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (2007), Grey Oceans (2010), Tales of a GrassWidow (2013), Heartache City (2015) and Put the Shine On (2020).
In 2003, Bianca was growing restless and decided it was time for a change. Leaving her apartment in Brooklyn to travel the world, she ended up at Sierra's apartment in Paris. Over the course of the next two months, the women spent nearly every waking hour in Sierra's bathroom, chosen as the most acoustic and isolated room in the apartment. Soon, they had completed both a hip-hop recording (never released) called "word to the crow" and their proper debut album La Maison de Mon Rêve.
Originally, La Maison de Mon Rêve was only intended to be distributed within a close circle of friends. However, by 2004 the lo-fi album had been released on independent label Touch and Go Records, who had obtained a copy of the CD and had uncharacteristically pursued signing the artists. Since the creation of their first album, the Casady sisters have been virtually inseparable.
Stylistically they may be assigned to the indie rock, psychedelic folk, folktronica genres, and are sometimes associated with the New Weird America movement. Sierra, who studied operatic vocal techniques, takes the lead vocals and also plays guitar, harp and flute. Bianca is a percussionist and also beatboxes. The group also uses various objects such as toys to construct their unique sound. Popular indie bands such as The xx name them as a major influence.
They were actively touring during most of 2004, playing across the U.S. and throughout Europe with artists such as TV on the Radio, Bright Eyes, Battles, Devendra Banhart, and Busdriver among others.
Official website: http://www.cocorosiemusic.com
Un Beso
CocoRosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm Gonna Get It Back
The Wind Is Just Right
And The Violets Think So Too
I Think I Spy A Shadow
Making A Poo
I Like To Gypsy Lick The Stars
And Send One Out To You You
Someone With No Dandruff
Perhaps Brown Eyes A Derelict
A Dandy
I'm Out Shopping In My Canoe
Finger Frolicing The Fireflies
Finger Fucking Firewood
Spying On The Masturbating Snails
Hollyhock And Cattails
Boneless Jellyfish And Wales
Perhaps I'll Meet You There Under
Decadent Horizon
Brave Young Lovers
Dark Lips
Lookin At The Loch Ness Monster
Fooey Fooey Hence Cabluey
Gypsy Liftin' On A Handstand
Little Fawny, Dawn-Lit and Scrawny
Daryl Jordan Henry and Johnny
Un Beso Un Beso
You Tear Me Apart
Un Beso Un Beso
Your Palm On My Heart
Its Just Me The Chimney Sweep
Little Bo Peep
Tendin' To Her Sheep
Eatin Her Curds And Whey
Don't Ever Get A Grip
Its Only The First Season Of The End Of Your Career
Nightmares And Dreams
Harlequins And Queens
Who Is My Truest
Love
Don't Make Me Take My Finger Out And
Point It In Your Direction
The Bible Tells Me So
Jewess
He's Out Shopping In The Trees Again
Moss On Trees
Moss On Trees
Moss On Trees
Broken Branches
Avalanches
Who's Got The Kees To My Jeep?
Who's Got The Code To The Condo Of My Soul
Out Robbing Graves Again
Like Marilyn Manson
I'll Admit I'm Popular Amongst The Ivys And The Ferns
Can't Say If The Felines Took To Me
Out Robbing Graves Again
Like Marilyn Manson
Un Beso Un Beso
You Tear Me Apart
Un Beso Un Beso
Your Palm On My Heart
The lyrics to CocoRosie's song "Un Beso" are surreal and whimsical, exploring a surreal landscape of gypsy lifting, fireflies, and masturbating snails, all tied together by a fantastical narrative of romance. The opening lines introduce the concept of "gypsy lifting," a colloquial term that could be interpreted as pickpocketing or stealing, but in this context represents a more metaphorical form of taking back what is rightfully theirs. The wind and violets serve as accomplices in this endeavor, setting the stage for the singer to spy on a shadow making a poo. Despite this moment of humor, the song takes a surreal turn as the singer sends a star to an unnamed recipient and wonders about their identity.
The song continues to meander through a dreamlike landscape, mentioning finger frolicking with fireflies and spying on masturbating snails, all while highlighting the beauty of boneless jellyfish and whales. The singer contemplates meeting someone under a "decadent horizon" and mentions "dark lips," introducing a sexual charge to the lyrics. The song then slips into a litany of words and names that appear to have little direct correlation to one another, creating a surreal, stream-of-consciousness feel. The lyrics return to the idea of "un beso," Spanish for "a kiss," which appears to represent the centerpiece of the song's narrative. The singer is torn apart by this mysterious person's kiss, their palm resting on the singer's heart.
Overall, "Un Beso" is a highly visual, imaginative song that defies straightforward interpretation. It brings together a variety of surreal images and motifs, suggesting a deep fascination with the strange and the unusual. The song marvels at the beauty of nature while also painting a portrait of yearning and romantic desire.
Line by Line Meaning
My Mother Calls It Gypsy Lifting
My mother referred to my behavior as that of a free-spirited, nomadic lifestyle.
And I'm Gonna Get It Back
I intend to reclaim that sense of freedom and spontaneity.
The Wind Is Just Right
The breeze is blowing at the perfect speed and direction.
And The Violets Think So Too
Even the flowers seem to appreciate the mild, pleasant climate.
I Think I Spy A Shadow
I believe I see a dark shape moving in the distance.
Making A Poo
It appears as though the creature I saw is defecating.
I Like To Gypsy Lick The Stars
I enjoy basking in the splendor of the night sky and reveling in the freedom it represents.
And Send One Out To You You
I would like to share this sense of awe and wonder with you.
Who Are You?
May I inquire as to your identity?
Someone With No Dandruff
I hope you are someone who is clean and healthy.
Perhaps Brown Eyes A Derelict
Or perhaps you are a person who has fallen on hard times and is struggling to get by.
A Dandy
Alternatively, you could be someone who takes great pride in their appearance.
I'm Out Shopping In My Canoe
At this moment, I am engaging in a leisurely activity, poking around the riverbank in my boat.
Finger Frolicing The Fireflies
I am enjoying the sensation of the insects flitting around my fingers.
Finger Fucking Firewood
I am making a crude and vulgar gesture towards the logs I am gathering.
Spying On The Masturbating Snails
I have noticed a pair of snails engaging in sexual activity, and I am observing them with mild interest.
Hollyhock And Cattails
The surrounding flora includes some hollyhocks and cattails.
Boneless Jellyfish And Wales
Further afield, there may be some jellyfish and whales in the vicinity.
Perhaps I'll Meet You There Under
In the future, it is possible that we might encounter one another in that location.
Decadent Horizon
The place we may meet has a lush and indulgent view.
Brave Young Lovers
There may be a couple there who are deeply in love and unafraid to show it.
Dark Lips
The young lovers may have dark or unusual-colored lips.
Lookin At The Loch Ness Monster
They may also be gazing out over a body of water and seeing a legendary creature there.
Fooey Fooey Hence Cabluey
These are meaningless syllables and do not have any particular significance.
Gypsy Liftin' On A Handstand
I am performing an acrobatic feat known as a handstand, as is customary in my nomadic way of life.
Little Fawny, Dawn-Lit and Scrawny
There may be a young and thin deer nearby, illuminated by the first light of morning.
Daryl Jordan Henry and Johnny
These names may refer to acquaintances or friends of mine.
Un Beso Un Beso
One kiss, one kiss.
You Tear Me Apart
Your actions and emotions cause me intense pain and anguish.
Your Palm On My Heart
Your touch affects me deeply and profoundly, particularly in the area of my heart.
Its Just Me The Chimney Sweep
I am a humble chimney sweep, known for my hard work and reliability.
Little Bo Peep
I am also reminiscent of the familiar nursery rhyme character Little Bo Peep.
Tendin' To Her Sheep
In this context, it means that I am performing a task with diligence and care, much like Little Bo Peep tending to her flock of sheep.
Eatin Her Curds And Whey
This is a reference to another famous nursery rhyme, and is not directly related to the overall meaning of the song.
Don't Ever Get A Grip
I advise you to avoid becoming tied down or trapped by life's various trappings.
Its Only The First Season Of The End Of Your Career
Although it may seem like your career is in decline or coming to an end, it is merely the beginning of a new stage.
Nightmares And Dreams
This juxtaposition of ideas suggests that our hopes and fears are often intertwined.
Harlequins And Queens
These are costumed characters that evoke a sense of playful surrealism and royalty, respectively.
Who Is My Truest
Who can I trust and rely on completely?
Love
The answer may lie in the concept of love, which is capable of transcending any obstacle or hardship.
Don't Make Me Take My Finger Out And
I implore you not to force me to resort to unpleasant or violent measures.
Point It In Your Direction
Specifically, I would not want to aim this aggression towards you.
The Bible Tells Me So
This phrase may imply that my beliefs are deeply rooted in religion or that I seek guidance from religious texts.
Jewess
This word is an archaic term for a Jewish woman.
He's Out Shopping In The Trees Again
An unknown person is once again engaging in a leisurely activity, this time among the foliage.
Moss On Trees
The trees are abundant with moss, which indicates a humid climate and healthy ecosystem.
Broken Branches
There are some snapped or damaged limbs on the trees, indicating that the environment is not entirely pristine.
Avalanches
This term suggests that the landscape is mountainous and potentially prone to snow slides or other natural disasters.
Who's Got The Kees To My Jeep?
Who has the keys to my vehicle, and how did they acquire them?
Who's Got The Code To The Condo Of My Soul
Who knows the secret to accessing the deepest parts of my being, where my true self resides?
Out Robbing Graves Again
This is likely a metaphor for engaging in some taboo or forbidden behavior.
Like Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson is a controversial musician known for his provocative style and oftentimes shocking performances.
Writer(s): BIANCA CASADY, SIERRA CASADY
Contributed by Samuel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.